You have slain [Demon Rat - Level 1]
You have slain [Demon Rat - Level 1]
You have slain [Demon Rat - Level 2]
bonus experience for slaying a stronger foe
You have slain [Reanimated Demon Rat - Level 2]
bonus experience for slaying a stronger foe
…
You have slain [Demonic Necromancy Norvegicus - Level 4]
bonus experience for slaying a stronger foe
*Congratulations!*
You’ve leveled up your class!
[Rogue Warrior(Level 1)]
->
[Rogue Warrior(Level 2)]
+1 to agility +1 endurance
Well fuck, that was fast?!
Enjoying my exile via a brisk hike through the chittering woods using my ears and peripheral vision as a guide, I reviewed my notification’s I’d ignored during the wave. Seeing how quickly I’d leveled up gave me pause as I contemplated exactly how high a level one could achieve. If my progress were to hypothetically maintain its current rate, there’s no telling how powerful someone like Perunious who’s been around forever could become. Of course, if this abided by the video game logic as it had so far, the first level up is always the easiest. From there on, each level would be increasingly harder to achieve, which I personally never minded.
I loved the grind. It’s why video games were off the table in my adult life, at least with pressing responsibilities or opportunities looming in the near future. Hours could easily slip my from my sense of relativity completely if I enjoyed the hustle a game offered. The best part of a fun experience climbing your way to new echelons of power is you’d be rewarded in kind, much like the next notification.
You’ve unlocked a new skill! Please select one from the following options.
Hold up, I got to sit down for this.
One may assume my calm demeanor denoted an apathy for my friend's predicament given I’d just fumbled protecting nearly everyone we’d spawned in with. You’d be correct, except you didn’t know Korbin. I could bring a team of superheroes back with me, backed with the fucking national guard and a binding agreement stating his family complete immunity from any harm.
It wouldn’t matter. If I came back too soon, he’d just instruct his new legion of heroes to at least disable me for a time, break a bone or two sort of deal. Honestly, from the little reflecting I’d done on my blatant selfishness chasing fights during the wave, I wouldn’t blame him either.
Besides, who better to hold up alone in this world than him? The guy’s a top 2 finisher in our global tournament of ritualistic combat to the death, after all. Outside of my skills, every valuable piece of martial knowledge in my arsenal stemmed from his teaching at the very least, many just completely copied from him. So for now, it was skill browsing time for Tom, and my options were…disappointing.
Water Slash (inferior) - Perform an angled slash imbued with water mana, allowing your form to merge with your nature for an attack.
+2 agility during active use.
Defensive Flourish (inferior) - Allow your weapons to dance and twirl in your hands before you, creating a defensive barrier in front of you for the duration of its activation.
Wow, these look basic as fuck.
The first two skills were a few I felt were learnable, dare I say easily improved upon through practice. Especially the Water Slash, that one I may start practicing immediately, as I’ve had great success in pursuing skills that belong to the best affinity there is. Luckily, the final 2 options were at least considerable.
Identify (common) - become able to see a creature's race and level. Creatures stronger by over 5 levels will not have their race or level visible.
Flow Supplementation (uncommon) - user can rely on the energy produced by their continuous Flow as they would mana for 50% total mana pool. Flow must be created or stolen, cannot be regenerated by potions or mana skills
That final skill was so damn good I had almost immediately selected it. Being able to use Flow like mana just sounded more comfortable for me. Flow was the real life magic I was familiarized with, whereas ‘mana’ was a resource I’d only recently discovered I possessed after using some intent to look for a prompt indicating its levels. To my surprise, I was instead met with an intuition that my maximum mana was a meager 74.
Determined to find some reprieve for my ego, I pressed for a health bar of some sort to find it sat at 81. Odd, because they appeared to be the same number, until I recalled my title that allowed a 10% boost to a stat when a foe had a bigger number in any category. Those filthy rats must’ve been a little more tanky than me and possessed a higher vitality stat. The boss rat for sure did.
Not bad…for a level 2 Rogue.
I knew damn well that was probably terrible to most martial classes, but in truth I’d yet to consider training vitality nor willpower yet. Frankly, wisdom felt more the secondary stat I’d invest into the most based on no-faces description back when I picked my class.
The well dressed featureless figure explained the stat essentially as omnipresent to an extent, interacting with nearly all other stats in concert. My endurance stat was already high, as is toughness, so moving and taking some hits probably wouldn’t be too much of an issue for now anyways.
However, sub 100 health and mana just felt pitiful for some reason. Having felt embarrassed while completely alone, I reserved myself to prioritize increasing both resource pools in the near future.
On a more positive note my endurance was one of highest stats, meaning I must have some sort of source of energy from it if it’s followed game logic. I sought to feel out an internal gauge or indication for a resource pool related to it. A rush of elation circulated as my pride restored finding the more aptly titled ‘stamina’ resource pool. This was where I shined in, sitting at 141 after my class level up rose the stat to 14 before buffs from skills.
Questions began ricocheting through my brain regarding the nature of self improvement now that it’s been metricized to such a degree. How do I upgrade my Race? What’s a considered a ‘Profession’? Was this reserved for post-tutorial life? Was I really going to need a fucking resumé?!
Recognizing the spiraling nature my mind was sinking into, I decided to pick the option that answered questions first, Identify, and left the uncommon skill for another level up. Closing my status sheet, I took more rigorous stock of my surroundings. I’d been walking for quite some time now, only stopping for a few minutes to pick a skill. My tiny brain afford to spend my whopping 8 intelligence in two places at once, I guess.
Desperate to Irish exit this pity party, my attention turned to the colossal trees throughout the foliage ridden forest that towered above. Massive branches were enveloped by beautiful green, purple and red leaves, differing per tree in beautifully random patterns.
The trunk of each tree was gargantuan in circumference, looking more like pillars to a colosseum than natural forming trees. The most common wooden giant that populated the dense woods were Sequoia, which happened to inhabit an incredibly exclusive club of tree species I could recognize.
The grass was dark green that swayed in the breeze at ankle height on average. Their lengths varied per areas however, implying something had been enjoying the plant life as a source of sustenance. The bushes were peppered in purple and red flowers with pedals larger than any flower I’d ever seen on average.
The animal life that inhabited the many trees scampered, burrowed, and buzzed around me. Yet nothing worth fighting had made an entrance. The occasional raccoon or squirrel would scurry along a tree, allowing me to try on my brand new Identify skill.
[Raccoon level - 1]
[Tree Squirrel level - 1]
Sick.
Continuing my hike I was banished to, I tested my identify skill on pretty much anything with a heartbeat. The splitting sound of someone screeching an angry war cry shocked me from my fun, followed by the distant clank of metal echoed through the forest. Hoping my seclusion hadn’t already bore delirium, I darted towards the direction I’d believed the yell had come from, being northwest of where I’d been walking.
After a couple minutes of sprinting without need for a breather, a small clearing manifested 10 yards away. Slowing my pace, I peaked around the tree line from behind one’s bark. A group of people in metallic medium and heavy armors surrounded a large chunk of land that was devoid of trees, allowing for great lines of sight from both mine and their position across the field.
There were 7 of them in total, with a few pairs carrying the bodies of their assumed fallen comrades. They’d begun carrying the corpses deeper into the open grasslands of their area when I stepped from the tree line, my hands up with both Wakizashi sheathed at my hips.
“Hey?! Who the fuck is this guy?” One of them barked, dropping the body’s legs abruptly as he noticed me.
“Get the fuck out of here, you’re not welcome!” The other one yelled through a far more commanding tone.
“I mean you no harm fellas. I’m simply looking for survivors at other pylons, okay? My friends need help after def-“
“I said LEAVE!” The second one yelled, brandishing nunchucks. Now, I swear I didn’t mean to, but a deep belly cackle escaped from my mouth before my mind could reel in my amusement at his tiny weapons.
He didn’t like that.
“Something fucking funny, Chuckles? Let me know if this is funny!?” He announced, springing toward me with nunchucks in hand as he grunted an animalistic growl. Luckily he announced his intentions before charging so recklessly, which made dodging his nunchucks’ downward swipe easy while unsheathing one of my Wakizashi.
The enraged maniac charged forward again, attacking wildly. Yet his form maintained disciplined, holding continuous motion with his weapons as they twirled around his hands. He’d clearly chosen these for a reason, and truthfully I was curious to see why he was so confidence in such a short ranged weapon. Stepping diagonally around his attack, I swung a slash around towards his body, testing his reflexes while ensuring the first hit wouldn’t immediately kill.
My hope was there wouldn’t be any unnecessary bloodshed until I was absolutely certain it was necessary. We simply couldn’t afford the wasted bodies having lost well…everyone.
The enraged ninja enthusiast twisted his hips toward my attack and while dropping his second nunchuck. He then grabbed both handles on one nunchuck, wrapping the chain around my blade before yanking it back. I let go instinctively having been grappled and thrown countless times by Korbin for about a year now. The space created gave me room to see and catch the incoming elbow the soldier had thrown. Clearly, he’d anticipated that I’d hold on to the blade and lurch forward with it.
Wow, that could’ve ended really poorly for me.
Unarmed, I remained in my stance, leaving my other sword at my side. If this guy was a hothead who’d yet to lose, who better to extinguish his little flame of arrogance. He launched yet another barrage of attacks, unbothered by my lack of a weapon.
One of the metal ends of his nunchucks brushed under my chin while I was Water Stepping around his strikes. His momentum pushed his body past me with stumbling steps.
His slowing momentum hovered perfectly in head kick range. My shin blasted into his skull as he passed, the clash of bone on bone echoed throughout the forest. His legs fell above his head in a scorpion pose as he flipped back and slammed onto the grass.
Grabbing my dropped weapon, I held it to his neck as he rolled to his back slowly, his eyes shut tightly gripping his rapidly swelling face.
“Holy fuck I blacked out.” He said, in a nasally tone.
“MOTHERF-“ a gruff voice from behind me grumbled, the loud thudding of boots to grass being all the warning I needed to dash away. My pursuer chased relentlessly, affording no time to even turn around and face them.
After some diagonal water stepping to avoid the angry warrior, I finally got my head spun around to see a shorter but burly man, holding two axes in hand.
“Listen man, I could’ve killed your buddy there outright. Chill the fuck out, or you’re both dead. This isn’t a threat, I’m just telling you what’s going to happen. No malice, just a fact.” I said.
This felt fair, I mean clearly stating you have no negative feelings towards them while reminding them the mortal cost of fighting has to imply sinceri-
“Ohhhh you’re going to kill me now?! Why don’t we find out how much of a KILLER you are, boy. I fought for my country, killed for her too. We all did here. How many lives have you had to take?!” He yelled, spittle falling from his lips.
“Ninety. Well, I mean they’re alive again now I guess technically but, they also died by the laws of…nature? I’m not sure what to call it now.” My response jarring his bloodlusting demeanor.
“W-…what the fuck are you talking about?” He shouted, and I was just about to answer when he did it for me with bulging eyes.
“The tournament? You k-…you killed 90 other fighters?!” He exclaimed, apparently having been there himself.
“Oh! You were there? Good, then you know who I am.” I responded, sheathing my Wakizashi.
“What round did you get to? A friend of mine was in the final 5 free-for-all, damn near won too being the top 2 at the end there that sonuvabitch. The blonde lady was just too crafty though…hey have you seen her?” My thoughts now an audible tangent. I figured he’d understand the foolishness involved in fighting anymore.
“Top 2? Y-you…28. I got bisected by your ‘friend’ in my 28th FUCKING MATCH!” He bellowed through bulging bloodshot eyes, breathing heavily as his body shook with searing rage.
“Woah buddy, shouldn’t that mean you ought to simmer down a sm-“
The axe wielding maniac howled the exact same war cry that had drawn me here. His other companions were the ones running to his aid this time however, entering from further northwest into their assumed pylon area. The nunchuck fellow had scooted away across the grassy field 10 feet away, still lying on his back.
His weapons remained on the ground where he’d fallen however, resting only a few feet away from me. The axe wielder dashed right up to my face as I’d taken inventory of my surroundings. His axes swing was barreling far too close to unsheathe my blade in time, so instead I dodged toward the nunucks.
Stepping between the weapons my toe nuzzled under the chains of one of the nunchucks. My attacker had gathered himself from his whiffed flurry of swipes, and was yet again charging for a wild chopping slash. My back leg rifled forward into his chest using Flow Inverse, sending his large body reeling. My other foot flicked the nunchucks up by the chain it had slid under. The weapon wrapped up and around my foot as I kicked upward, sending them in the air.
His eyes tracked them while hr stumbled back trying to catch his footing, allowing me to Water Step in and punch him in the stomach while he was distracted, leaving him hunched forward. Locating and snagging the nunchucks aloft, I wrapped the chain around his neck. My arms flexed hard pulling the handles wide and away over my shoulder, bending him backwards and lifting him in the air like a heavy bag of trash.
His companions drew nearer, so I got my piece in quickly.
“I fucking warned you of this. You brought this on yourself, I told you what would happen if you didn’t fucking relax. You die a fool.” With that last viperous hiss of disdain, I ripped outwardly with full force, causing crushing and crackling sounds to disperse from his next as he fell limp, a ding sounding afterwards.
His friends had gotten within 20 feet when his body dropped, all of them holding up into defensive stances forming a quarter-circle around me. They all had to have been in exceptional shape considering their faces looked to be in their late 30’s early 40’s, yet they most definitely hit the gym more than I did. Save for the lady in back, but the magical mini sun floating above her staff indicated she was no slouch.
“What the fuck?! You killed Anthony?!” One yelled in disbelief.
“Anthony decided not to heed my warnings, and frankly, I’ve had a fucking day.” I responded, losing my affable facade I’d arrived with.
“Your buddy over there, he saw, this is a waste of my fucking time. Either you people give me your Pylon, here and now, or I’m killing anyone who stops me. Am I being crystal clear with the repercussions right now?!” I said, raising my voice in annoyance. It was the truth, that guy was a joke. I just figured Korbin would appreciate more live bodies, especially military guys.
“You’re gonna kill all of us, are you?” The largest of them said. He was utterly fucking massive, easily 6’10, pure muscle. He used a shield and a flail, those spiked balls on chains they used back in the medieval times. At least, they used them at…whatever.
“Yes, uh, fuckface, your muscles don’t scare anyone worth a shit, in case none of you being in the top 10 of the tournament hadn’t hinted to that yet.”
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The large man squinted as he furrowed his brow in consideration looking me up and down. I wondered if I looked familiar to him too, which would imply he was also in the tournament. Then again, I lost my first top 10 fight which was probably what everyone was mainly watching. Fucking Korbin.
“This isn’t a one on one, boy. We won’t take turns.” Another sneered, as they all approached slowly, save for the first giant fellow.
“You know what, fuck it, if you need proof-” I said, unsheathing my blades and entering my stance.
“-whenever you’re ready.”
After some creeping steps and tense silence, save the breeze blowing the surrounding grass and trees behind me, one of the angry warriors launched the first attack. His long sword swung wide toward my ribs.
The soldiers elbow popped under the pressure of my palm strike activating Flow inverse before he spun with his flailing limp arm behind him. His back flashed in front of me as he spun out of control, which I gladly delivered a front kick to the spine in response eliciting another series of sickening cracks. Another supporting warrior attacked from my backside, forcing me to step forward and stab at the utterly towering man who’d stood at the ready in front of me.
My lead blade pumped forward with a feign before the rear one jetted forward, aiming for their shoulder. The steel pierced through smoothly, blood instantly running from the entrance wound. Unfortunately, I was forced to evade the spiked end of a flail swinging at my face before I could dig my blade into the Warriors body somewhere it mattered. Stepping around the big man, I stomped the side of his knee. My feet began shuffling around the giant for another slash and dash, when his shield appeared sweeping to my side.
After bracing, my eyes opened again to find myself spiraling aloft, just before my shoulder crashed into the forest floor. My spine bounced off the jagged foliage ridden forest floor before rolling to a halt. My body ached as if I’d gotten smacked with a fucking bullet train. However, after standing up and struggling to focus finding where they had hit me from, I realized how far that fucking meathead smacked me.
The treeline leading to the settlement had been 40 fucking yards out. That hulking mans reactionary shield bash had hit me like a plastic ball with a metal bat. Not to mention how badly it fucking hurt. Checking my status, he’d chunked 35 health off of me, leaving me with just 46 right now.
Oh no. No, no no no.
Heat festered in my stomach as my mind rattled with hatred. I hobbled toward their camp, an unbridled yearning for vengeance powering my steps as my body adjusted to the pain. My internal monologue slowly turned outward.
That fucking meathead, how the fuck is he that “fucking big?! I mean seriously, what in the absolute steroid-riddled bullshit did they feed that abomination in the womb?!”
My pace quickened as the sheer energy burning in my currently hateful heart fueled my muscles.
“And the nerve. They KNOW who I am. They know what the fucks about to happen right?! OHHH they’re gonna find out.”
There wasn’t a shred of remorse left in me, I’d reached my boiling point. 90 fights, I went for 90 fights just to get knocked off in the top 10 immediately. Fine. Then we got to our pylon selection, and someone must’ve slipped some hallucinogens into my skin when I wasn’t looking, because immediately I leapt onto the first area that would be good for me. Absolutely zero consideration for those who hadn’t even qualified for the tournament, much less placed high.
My intentions were fully to take all of my aggression out on these assholes for spitting on my olive branch, when a notification popped up at the top of my vision.
Patron Tutorial Objective:
Conquer the nearest Pylon. Claim your vengeance.
Well, this is new. Apparently, my God just saw me get rag dolled across the forest which, I figured as much. His ability to provide tasks was something I hadn’t considered though. Sure, he told me I’d be doing things for him, however he heavily implied it’d be just by getting stronger myself. He’d just reap the benefits somehow by proxy.
As I pondered my Patrons new mission, a theory began forming in my bruised and bitter brain. Killing all of the remaining warriors, if need be to conquer their Pylon, would more than likely end in me getting plenty of experience points. Plus, I’m sure claiming a Pylon for your own would provide a boost as well, as it’s obviously an important role in this tutorial. Yeah, I’m not seeing any negatives here.
Way fucking ahead of you, Perunious.
I sneered to it myself approaching the forest clearing. My paces were more controlled now, having put the pain of being slapped away like an ant out of my mind. My determined strides remained as I caught up the gang of soldiers strolling back to their Pylon. One heard me approaching as I drew within 10 feet, yelling “hey!” before jabbing his sword toward me.
Smacking his blade outward with my lead Wakizashi using Flow Inverse, my rear blade stabbed straight through his throat. Twisting, I ripped out my Wakizashi in time to deflect their friend's attack after seeing me immediately kill his comrade. My brain completely blocked out the ding as there was no joy in what I was about to do.
Only wrath.
Spinning the second fools short sword with my blade, I flicked it around and out, flinging it away. His bulging eye screamed for mercy, cold steel piercing under his jaw making them roll back in response. These people had their opportunity. This one still tried to kill me.
The other 5 were now upon me, with my focus being on the big guy who smacked my ass across the forest. The other warriors attacks bore decent form, but were painfully slow. Dodging around the towering tank of a man, one of his allies leapt from behind him with a downward slash with his short axe. Slipping to the side, my lead weapon jabbed into their shoulder, the other sliding through his trachea. He dropped his axe, grabbing with one hand at his neck trying to stop the bleeding, but it was far too late for that. My blade almost touched his spine from the front of his neck, his fate was sealed.
Stepping diagonally from the group now having an opening from this death circle, two more attacked in concert from either side. That kind of bullshit move was rat-behavior, and I enjoyed washing that indescribable transgression on all life from a heartbeat not too long ago. Clearly, the world needed more cleansing.
Activating Lightning Strike twice in quick succession, both Wakizashi pierced the synchronized attackers necks, their heads exploding in a mess of bones, organs and body fluids. My head spun frantically to locate where the large fighter was, only to see his flail on the floor, his open hand still half cupped from holding it. His eyes were bug-wide, as if he’d been shown some celestial being not fit for human eyes.
The other 2, however, still held their weapons. Their hands shook having seen two of their friends heads pop in a flash of lightning. One of them had released their grip entirely on their sword, his limp thumb somehow keeping the hilt balanced in place
“Woah woah. Okay man. Please, w-we won-“
“Won’t WHAT?! Won’t try to kill me now? Oh, that’s strange, because I told you what the fuck would happen. But nooo, let’s attack the stranger who was top fucking 10 at the tournament.”
My temper was now absolutely unhinged, I had zero hand at the wheel at this moment.
“Tell you fucking what, you’re ALL ex military, yeah?” I asked the group, all but the woman nodding yes.
“Okay, how about this. You point me to your Pylon, and I will claim it as my own. Before we continue, any issues with that?” I added, glancing about the group. Silence.
“Alright, and secondly, you.” My finger pointing at the monster that smacked nearly half my health away.
“You’re coming with me. You’re way too fucking strong, and we could use that.”
The lumbering warrior refrained from any eye contact, his slightly quivering knees showing signs of genuine fear. All that previous bravado completely erased in an instant, making me wonder if he’d ever actually felt as confident as he portrayed. His head tilted toward me with his eyes at the floor, nodding in reluctant agreement.
“Well…where’s your rock?”
They looked puzzled for a moment, but one motioned me to follow, the rest staying behind, a few backing up as I’d come closer on the way to their pylon.
A shame, not having skipped the pleasantries after they attacked the first time. Now I’m hurt a bit, and have to hope I can rest this off.
As we reached the center of their near treeless field, a tree stump arose about 5 feet in the air, with a black orb at the top of it.
“I see, yours isn’t just a…stupid rock.” I said sheepishly to the one who guided me here. He was a skinnier guy, and wasn’t anything special to write back to home about in combat.
“Right, and Anthony claimed it by just touching it so, I think that’s all you do.”
“Really? He was the guy running shit?” I blurted out. He merely nodded, only leaving his head lower in a half bow afterwards.
“No no, don’t fucking do that. We’re not fighting right now, you’re fine.”
He straightened up as I placed my hand on the orb, immediately a prompt appearing.
You have slain the Pylon leader: [Anthony, Warrior level 1]
->
Would you like to conquer this Pylon as your own?
Focusing my intent on taking it, the prompt changed.
Congratulations
You have conquered and claimed this Pylon!
Experience has been rewarded.
->
Title unlocked:
Cardinal Conquerer - You were the first of the tutorial to Conquer another leader's Pylon, claiming your intent on becoming the Wrathful usurper to all who claim power that belongs to you rightfully.
+2% experience gained in professions to all aligned with you within your pylons area of control.
Patron mission: complete. Additional experience rewarded.
This was an unexpected reward, but due to the wording not specifying this exact pylon being the only one to receive this boost, I welcomed the title. Besides, extra experience for doing Perunious’ dirty work was fine by me anyways, so long as it involved getting shit done.
Now came the prompts for Pylon Owners and…fuck it looked boring. Most of it being upgrade options, many grayed out with locked descriptions. Other things being shop items like some ores and materials, cups, coffee beans were even in there. All costing Tutorial Points, or TP.
I had plenty from making the top 10, but I had no intention of using any right now. Besides, I had a few hundred more than the 10,000 I’d received for ranking so highly, indicating I’d been earning them already. Whether the beast or just humans gave them well, I guess I’d have to check next time.
Most of the more intriguing items I’d seen in the market were listed under information. A few had things such as Profession books, with the description indicating the workstations associated with them came with it. Scrolling the options, however, none jumped out as one I’d be interested in. Carpenter, Artificer, Blacksmith, Weaver, all of these just didn’t resonate with me.
Of course, they were also 1,000 TP, a rather pretty price at that. The upgrade for pylon defenses which were at the moment imaginary at best, had only been 200 though. Not seeing a reason to leave my new Pylon devoid of protection, I tossed the few settlers here I planned to leave behind a bone. After cutting their numbers down to size and reserving their strongest fighter, I figured at the very least some defenses were in order. The earth began shaking a bit as I confirmed the purchase, with giant trees sprouting all around the Pylon in a rectangular shape.
The wood shot out from the soil at an impressively unnatural rate, croaking and moaning as it rose 14 feet high. A peculiar palpable energy filled the air as the walls ascended in unity. Each log had settled with no cracks between, with a large 18 foot gate at the entrance smacked onto its hinges from outside. Just as it’d nestled into position, another prompt popped up.
Would you like to personalize your pylon defenses? (50 TP)
Meh, why not.
The roar of blue flames bursting from the wood as it splintered and exploded out before dissipating under the extreme heat. The 3 remaining survivors shielded their eyes as it erupted, leaving a patterned design of wire with blue electric energy radiating around it. The gate was replaced with a wired one, sharing the powerful electric glow.
Holy shit, this is fucking awesome.
The perimeter was massive, and upon exiting, the walls looked like huge webs of electric energy, the wire invisible as the powerful mana radiated. As I neared, it only felt comforting, like my whole body was being hugged by a sentient teddy bear.
Excited at my newfound joy that’s Pylons, I ran back to the orb in what was a stump, now a metal stand also radiating blue electricity. Touching the orb, I looked for the next upgrade price.
Pylon upgrade (level 2) - 500 TP
That’s still pretty cheap.
Tossing more TP around, the fence contorted and screeched into a metal wall, the energy glowing over the top. A platform grew from the inside at the top as the magic metal expanded, creating a walkway from the bottom. The size of the structure also expanded about 5 yards each side, and erected 8 house sized structures. Small houses, but still big enough to be a home to a family of 3 least. From empty grasslands, to a full fledged settlement.
The one formed around the orb, however, was much larger. It exploded around me from the ground, making him jump a little at the sound of metal screaming as it twisted into a two story building, with 3 rooms at the bottom and 4 at the top.
Now addicted, I scrolled around the options to see if new things had appeared. To no surprise, new structures and defense options had appeared, along with old ones not greyed out. No longer interested in defending these guys, I skipped over the mounted crossbows and traps for something I felt more pertinent after getting damaged so badly from one swing; armor.
Some of it was expensive, 9,000 for epic rarities that gave % boosts and whatnot. Honestly, I just needed to not die after one hit. I’d spent a lot of TP, and didn’t really want to spend all of it now. Scrolling through, I decided on a full set that only ran me 1,150 TP in total, and they were rather solid boosts for each one considering the price.
Feeling the splitting pain in my side and spasming back from my ‘flight’ earlier urged me to jump straight to chest pieces, only I decided to stick to light armor. Part of me likes to think it’s because of my class, but honestly it’s just to spite Korbin’s roasting of it.
The majority of options were leather or cloth based unsurprisingly. Leather felt like just enough cushion without sacrificing freedom of movement too much. Getting stabbed meant I was never going to win the fight anyhow based on my style.
The most expensive option was an Epic rarity chest piece. With it, a massive +6 to endurance, +6 to vitality, but it also had a shadow ability with it.
Lightless Travel - use shadows to traverse a range visible between shadows. Cooldown based on distance traveled.
True, this was overpowered as fuck for a level 2 class guy like myself, however the price being 7,000 was just absurd. How could I rationally spend so much on one armor piece?! I couldn’t possibly be so irresponsible! Fugally, I elected to stick to uncommon rarity armor.
The chest piece I decided on was an absolute steal for its stats, a mere 250 TP. It was made of black leather that covered the totality of my upper body, straps holding areas for my abs to contract and arms and shoulders to bend freely, with a black long sleeve undershirt that went up the neck a bit.
Rogue Leather armor (uncommon) - +2 vitality, and +2 endurance.
Perfect.
After my purchase, I put on the leather chest piece, and immediately felt the warmth of my health and stamina bars growing rapidly. Feeling enthralled by the rush of energy, I scrolled quickly to the pants listing, officially called ‘legwear’.
Skipping the rich-boy shit and headed for the uncommon's, the selection was a little less expansive, but I found a solid pick nonetheless.
It was also black, however it was cloth-based rather than leather. I was hesitant at first due to its assumed thin nature, however the +2 in toughness +1 endurance was nothing to shy at, especially at 200 TP. The name was lame though, ‘Bounding Bottoms’. Rather dorky, but I’ll take it for now.
Next came the shoes which, honestly were pretty cool as well in the uncommon section. The title had drawn my attention, but the bonuses secured my purchase.
‘Assassin’s Striders’ - a novice in the art of silence, your speed is your crutch until your kinship with the shadows grows.
+4 agility.
Best part was, it only ran me 300 TP. Assuming folks would only have this much on an individual level had they not gotten an exorbitant amount from the tournament, the boosts made sense assuming you could get one at a time. Now, the exceptional on the other hand? They clearly got special treatment, and honestly I’ll take it.
The final purchase and my most expensive armor piece, wasn’t armor at all. It was Rare, outside the rarity where I agreed to myself before to play around with, but it was just too good to pass up once my eyes happened upon its name and description.
‘Cowl of The Wise Warrior’(Rare) - A warrior who’s shown cunning and wisdom in their movements, their technical prowess unquestionable as they whirl across the battlefield. +4 Wisdom, +2 agility
Not only was it truly a great deal, only 400 TP, but it looked so badass. The cowl was hooded, wrapping around my shoulders, with fabric available to cover my face, and the full hood created a shadow over my face from the length the hemline reached past my head. It was black, with blue streaking designs that glimmered like diamonds in the sunlight.
I figured, ‘might as well come back in style’, especially with these boosts and financially responsible plays to justify it to Korbin. As I left the menu for armor, weapons caught my eye just below it. Feeling my Wakizashi at my hips, I knew the lack of boosts from them was a problem considering how strong someone can be with TP, and decided to scroll over the options for melee weapons. It couldn’t hurt, I figured.
Scrolling past the Epic category, the title of one of the top options caught my greedy gaze, bringing it to the weapon and its description.
‘Cursed Twinblade Of Stolen Supremacy’ (Epic-Evolving) - the two blade has been cursed to only bind to a user who’s already began their pursuit in taking power in the literal sense from stronger foes, having any stat boosted from a skill or title allowing stat % gain based on foes slain. The twinblade will evolve each time the user maxes all stats maximum boost every 10 levels. Only the worthy shall carry the burden of powerful greed.
+6 agility, +4 endurance, +2 strength, +10% armor piercing, adapts to and lowers the mana cost of users affinity infused. [soulbound]
This description was incredibly fucking long, but damn did it feel worth the read. Massive boosts to my core stats too, along with the fact it requires the exact same boosting skill my Title from being Perunious’ chosen gave to…evolve? It didn’t really say how, but based on its level restriction and being in the rarity description as well, I figured this treasure could go up to something like Legendary some day.
The wording was a bit ominous, choosing words like ‘burden’ and ‘greed’ in a positive light. Then again, I suppose that wasn’t wrong of what I’d been doing anyhow, why be a hypocrite now? The second red flag however was the ‘soul bound’ portion. This was not something I was warned of nor did it explain itself, yet somehow it didn’t bother me as much as my mind thought it should.
It’s hard to explain, but something in my gut told me it wouldn’t be a bad thing, instead more of a permanent thing. Finally, the main problem, its fucking price.
(7,500 TP)
…damn?!
What person other than a top 10 fighter could possibly afford this?! This price is insane?! I created a massive safety box of crackling lightning mana with 250, and a small settlement with 750 in total. My entire armor set was barely 1,150. Who could this possibly be rationally available for? Who would even find a good excuse for them to spend this much on themselves in this circumstance?!
Well, I could, obviously.
Locking in my purchase, leaving me with ‘barely’ 850 TP, the weapon appeared in the air before falling, my hands catching it by its beautiful long grip. Immediately, an incredible surge of power rushed into my body, making me tense up as it overtook my muscles. Struggling to move, a prompt flashed above my eyes.
You qualify to soulbind with Cursed Twinblade Of Stolen Supremacy’ (Epic-Evolving), would you like to accept its offer of unquestionable fealty in exchange for taking part in your ascension in power?
The unbelievably potent power surging through me felt sentient yet comforting, and I couldn’t think to part with this feeling. I accepted immediately, sending a second wave of exhilarating power shooting through me. This time my body adjusted much quicker as the surge subsided, now holding my new weapon in my hands like a kid on Christmas Day.
The blades were 28 inches long, with streaks of lighting designed along the blades from the tip of each end to the hilts connected to the deep blue colored grip. The design on the grip took the shape of lighting webs shooting out over crashing waves of the ocean before my very eyes, along with a flood of innate knowledge over how it functioned, not only in combat but in general.
Focusing my mind on lightning energy, with a hint of my preferred water affinity for egos sake, I pulled the hilts apart from the middle with my palms facing up. The hilts separated, revealing a glowing metallic chain that connected the blades. From the tips of each blade to the chains that linked the handles, blue and white energy crackled with incredibly powerful and unstable looking lightning mana. As I willed the chain to extend, it smoothly extended to lengths I internally commanded it too up to about 3 feet.
Checking my mana, I noticed a chunk of 15 mana had been used from my pool, leaving me with 60. The mana pool didn’t slowly decrease however, no matter how long I sat adjusting the chains length. It was only after I shut the blades together at the bottoms before separating again it did the 15 mana cost trigger. Truly, it lived up to its rarity.
The whole reason I chose this weapon in the first place was due to the 3 fighters with chained weapons I’d fought, giving birth to a whole new curiosity. See, the first guy was at the tournament. His knives connected to chains that wrapped around his wrist never even got a swing in, forcing me to just imagine how he would fight. The next was the nunchuck guy, who had only recently stood back up now. His disarm attempt was genuinely good, and had I not just been…well, better, he could’ve had me there.
The flail fuck needed no expansion. The dangers of momentum were fully implied seeing him swinging that giant spike ball through the air with ease. The fact his shield is what he hit me was what’s most impressive considering the implications of if his weapon landed a blow. He was afraid of me right now though, making most of my thoughts dwell on his utility for me much stronger. For now, I’d have to stow the concern for myself with him around.
Now, ideas and concepts of using this chain flowed freely through my mind. Throwing it was an option, holding one side like a flail and using bo staff techniques to generate power. Being able to determine its length freely until it closes also allowed for crazy implications in terms of range now, as well as using that block that wraps up the enemies weapon. Even closed now, I could spin it almost as freely as my old Bo Staff I missed so dearly, with the grip being much wider when connected, nearing 15 inches. Elation traveled throughout my senses in an awesome wave. It felt like I’ve struck a gold mine for myself here.
Settling myself down finally, I resolved training to be better accustomed to my weapons capabilities when I returned home. For now, my priority sat solely on bringing my superhuman strength wielding giant currently averting my eye contact with me.
“Hey, you! Come here real fast.” I hollered at him. He jogged over immediately, his towering size forcing my head up as he approached.
“What’s your name, big fella?” I asked in a kinder, more curious tone than he’d ever heard me use.
“Oh, uh, Lonni. J-just Lonni.” He responded, trying to hide his apprehension a bit.
“Nice to meet you Lonni, I’m Tom.” I said, outstretching my hand for a handshake.
He paused, looking down at my hand apprehensively before looking up at me. His eyes followed back down again before accepting the offered handshake.
“I’m going to head back to my home base, let my allies know about the work that’s been done here.”
I peered my head around his massive body, looking at his other friends. “You two, stick around here. You should be well enough defended, and you aren’t completely incapable in a fight.” I said, rolling my eyes at that last part.
They nodded, and went to claim their newly spawned buildings. Lonni, however, looked puzzled.
“What about me?”
“You’re coming with me, Lonni. Is that a problem?”
I asked, stepping forward into his space, my eyes narrow.
“N-no man. I’m cool with coming along.” He said, backing up a bit.
“Perfect, then let’s get a move-on. Looks like the sun’s headed down instead of up now.” I told him, turning southeast towards where Korbin and his family waited. He followed a bit behind me until I stopped and turned to face him over my shoulder. Quickly, he caught up next to me as we began my triumphant journey home.
Hopefully this Pylon and some ex-military are enough to keep him from trying to kill me when I get there.